Slow-roasted tomatoes with paprika and oregano

Name: Slow-roasted tomatoes with paprika and oregano
Cook time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: 6 as a starter
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 2kg ripe Roma tomatoes, hard skin from the stem removed and a cross scored in the stem end; 6 cloves of garlic, finely sliced - a mandolin is ideal; 1/2 bunch of fresh oregano, picked and chopped; 1/2 bunch of thyme, picked; 4 tsp cumin; 3 tsp smoked paprika; 150ml virgin olive oil; 3 tbsp castor sugar; 3 tbsp flaked salt; Freshly ground black pepper; 

Karen Martini

December 11, 2012

Serve with a splash of sherry vinegar, some manchego cheese, a few olives and some crusty bread.Marina Oliphant

easyTime:2 hours +Serves:6 as a starter

These tomato gems need a little preparation, but once done they're great to bring a Spanish touch to all sorts of dishes. Tip into a grain salad with herbs and yoghurt or a simple salad of cucumber and lemon juice with seared or baked fish. You can serve the tomatoes at room temperature with a splash of sherry vinegar, some manchego cheese, a few olives and some crusty bread.

Ingredients

2kg ripe Roma tomatoes, hard skin from the stem removed and a cross scored in the stem end
6 cloves of garlic, finely sliced - a mandolin is ideal
1/2 bunch of fresh oregano, picked and chopped
1/2 bunch of thyme, picked
4 tsp cumin
3 tsp smoked paprika
150ml virgin olive oil
3 tbsp castor sugar
3 tbsp flaked salt
Freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 120C.
2. Line two trays with baking paper.
3. Bring a large pot of water to the boil. In batches, blanch the tomatoes for 1 minute (or until the skin starts to separate from the flesh) then plunge into cold water. Slip the skins off, slice in half and press out and discard about half of the seeds, place in a bowl with the remaining ingredients and toss well to combine.
4. Place tomatoes cut side down on a baking tray, pouring the liquid over the top, and roast for 4 hours. Allow to cool fully on the baking tray to help preserve the shape.
Tip: You can layer the tomatoes in a wide-mouthed jar, pour over a little olive oil blended with vegetable oil (about half-half, which stops the oil solidifying) and pop into the fridge. They will keep for about 3 weeks.
Drink: Young, unoaked tempranillo.